Borescopes... thoughts?

[Richard]

I've had a need every now & then for a Borescope.... that said, I simply go down to Autozone and do their loner program where you buy it.....and (as per their process) return it when you're done for a refund.

Thing is, I've never really liked the unit they have so have thought about buying a nicer one for myself. This would hopefully, present a better picture and would save me the 12 mile drive into town to get/rent one..... with the possiblity always being that they don't have it when I need/want it.

Thoughts on some brands/models? Cost is always a concern. I don't mind several hundred but a cursory glance, found some in the multiple thousands of dollars range.....for those, I'll drive into town & rent!!

Recommendations?

 

[Bigkrank]

https://www.amazon.com/DEPSTECH-Waterproof-Inspection-Megapixels-Smartphone/dp/B09HKQMS53

Not sure how good you require but this has done everything I have ever needed.

 

[kf4uda]

https://www.amazon.com/DEPSTECH-Waterproof-Inspection-Megapixels-Smartphone/dp/B09HKQMS53

Not sure how good you require but this has done everything I have ever needed.

I just bought the newer model of that one. I have setup it up with my phone but not actually used it yet.

https://www.amazon.com/Endoscope-DEPSTECH-Borescope-Semi-Rigid-Inspection-dp-B08P5RZK44/dp/B08P5RZK44/ref=dp_ob_title_def

 

[TractorGuy]

Not found one that was any use to me. Always end up with a clear view of nothing. The last I tried was a Klein Tools ET16. Couldn't get their app to load on my phone and it wasn't available on the play store. The only good part was I could just take it back to Home Depot.

I have a cheap android one but it has been useless.

For a tank I wanted to inspect I rigged up an old USB web cam with a light attached. It did a better job than of any of the boroscopes I tried but a little bulky. Hooked it up to a laptop and recorded.

 

[Boss 302]

I have one from harbor freight and it has served me well, the reach on it is about 30" and the picture is very clear.

 

[Richard]

Interesting comments. I'll admit there are more responses than I had anticipated.

I appreciate the commentary.

 

[ericm979]

I bought a $20 one that plugs into the USB port on a computer. It works pretty well. Last year I accidentally dropped a knife bolt inside the pto chipper. They provide an access door but the bolt was on the other side of the rotor which is a close fit in the housing. I made a tool by taping the borescope and a flexible claw type part grabber to a coat hanger wire, then used that to grab the bolt by going in the knife access port high on the housing. The $20 was worth it just for that one thing. Taking the chipper apart would have been a real hassle!

 

[Beaver Cove Deere]

I bought a stand alone unit from Rigid a ways back. Head is about .5 diameter but it works fine.

 

[Henro]

I bought one that has a very long lead which I find cumbersome for things close by. Now think that something with a shorter lead would be more convenient to use in many cases.

They are cheap enough today that buying two different types would not be cost prohibitive.

Buy one and see what you think.

 

[Fuddy1952]

I have a Ryobi one I bought a few years ago, LEDs around camera at end. Here's inside my mouth...works great for colonoscopys also .

 

[5030]

I have one from harbor freight and it has served me well, the reach on it is about 30" and the picture is very clear.

Have the same one. Good unit and fairly cheap. I also have a Gradient Lens Hawkeye Borescope that was almost a grand but it's for checking rifle bores. The Hawkeye looks forward and backwards.

 

[5030]

I have a Ryobi one I bought a few years ago, LEDs around camera at end. Here's inside my mouth...works great for colonoscopys also .View attachment 724065

Better than looking up your butt... I guess.

 

[tomplum]

I still have the cheap USB model that I plug into my laptop. AT times I've found that I need to fasten the camera head to something for better control. I could really use better camera software or APP.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Better than looking up your butt... I guess.

I can post a video. Has everyone had dinner?

 

[Boss 302]

I'll take your word for it

 

[Fuddy1952]

Seriously they can be handy looking behind walls, dropped tools, seeing inside motors, etc.

 

[brokeasajoke]

Teslong has some various models that are affordable. Just Google them.

 

[5030]

I'll take your word for it

+1 on that.

 

[Richard]

I read up a bit on them yesterday (just a small bit).... one review made a comment that though the picture might have been fine, it took a 2-3 second delay to get it to your phone for viewing.

(Note that I take ALL review, good and bad, with a grain of salt without more substantiation of the comments)

Anyway, I hadn't thought of that angle.

For me, a USB to the PC simply won't be a good idea. PC is inside in my office and my needs for a scope would be outdoors, garage, under hood of car, behind walls...

I guess I'm initially attracted to those with the hand held viewer (camera attached) Maybe that's because that's all I've been exposed to via Autozone. Having one send a signal to my phone is also very interesting..... UNLESS there's a lag.

I'm one of those researching OCD type.... drives me nuts at times. ALWAYS drives my wife nuts.

Trying to avoid that predisposition.

 

[Fxfymn413]

I got the Milwaukee scope as part of a package deal with the oscillating multi-tool I needed. https://www.farmandfleet.com/produc...00dCSdAwbZ7rbxnugwcctaL13m1Cig4aAodDEALw_wcB#

I don't think it gives a very clear picture because the LED is a little too dim.